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Easy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet: Perfect 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring savory ground beef, tender rice, and simple pantry staples. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting skillet meal comes together in under 30 minutes and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and cook the onion (3 minutes): Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once it shimmers, toss in the diced onion. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent and starts to soften.
  2. Brown the ground beef (5-6 minutes): Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with your wooden spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to get a nice sear, then start breaking it into smaller pieces. Continue cooking until no pink remains. If there’s a lot of excess fat (more than a tablespoon or so), drain it off.
  3. Add garlic and seasonings (1 minute): Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Toast the rice (2 minutes): Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir it into the beef mixture. Let it toast for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. The rice will start to smell nutty and turn slightly opaque around the edges.
  5. Add tomatoes and broth (1 minute): Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Bring to a boil, then simmer (18-20 minutes): Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer. Set a timer for 18 minutes and resist the urge to peek. After 18 minutes, check the rice. It should be tender and the liquid should be mostly absorbed. If it’s still a bit crunchy, add a splash more broth or water, cover, and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  7. Rest and fluff (5 minutes): Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. After resting, fluff the mixture with a fork. If you’re adding peas or corn, stir them in now while everything is still hot.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, and serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

Don’t rush the browning step; it adds flavor. Toast the rice for better texture. Keep heat on low once covered to avoid burning. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before fluffing. For brown rice, use 2 1/2 cups broth and simmer 35-40 minutes. For Instant Pot, sauté beef and onions, then cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, rice, skillet, 30-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, one-pot meal, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/easy-ground-beef-and-rice-skillet-perfect-30-minute-dinner/